Retractable light apparatus

Abstract

A retractable light is provided with a light to extend and retract in a housing. A motor for driving a sprocket is mounted in the housing or light assembly and a gear rack is mounted in the other. The gear rack has a series of apertures so that debris is conveyed into the apertures. Another embodiment provides a housing with a first guide member, connected to a light assembly by a second guide member. A motor and a gear are mounted in one of the housing and light assembly. A gear rack is mounted in the other of the housing and the light assembly. In another embodiment, a rechargeable battery is powered by a solar cell with a first circuit for powering the motor with a first voltage and a second circuit for powering the light source with a second voltage that is less than the first voltage.

1. A retractable light apparatus comprising:
 a housing; 
 a light assembly operably connected to the housing to extend and retract relative to the housing; 
 a motor mounted in the housing; 
 a sprocket gear operably driven by the motor; and 
 a gear rack mounted in the light assembly in engagement with the sprocket gear so that as the motor drives the sprocket gear, the light assembly is translated relative to the housing, the gear rack having a series of apertures formed therein so that debris that contaminates the engagement of the sprocket gear and the gear rack is conveyed into the apertures. 
 
     
     
       2. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the series of apertures are formed through the gear rack. 
     
     
       3. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a rechargeable battery oriented in one of the housing and the light assembly; and 
 a solar cell oriented on top of the light assembly for collecting solar power, the solar cell being in communication with the battery for recharging the battery. 
 
     
     
       4. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light assembly further comprises at least one light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       5. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing has an opening and the light assembly extends from and retracts into the housing opening. 
     
     
       6. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the light assembly has a lengthwise profile sized to minimize clearance between the light assembly and the housing opening to minimize contaminants within the housing. 
     
     
       7. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the light assembly further comprises a cap for enclosing the housing opening. 
     
     
       8. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first guide member mounted in the housing; and 
 a second guide member mounted to the light assembly and operably connected to the first guide member for translation relative to the first guide member. 
 
     
     
       9. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the first and second guide members are oriented centrally within the housing and the light assembly. 
     
     
       10. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the series of apertures are formed through the second guide member, wherein the motor is mounted in the housing and the sprocket gear is engaged with the second guide member. 
     
     
       11. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the first guide member further comprises a shaft mounted in the housing, and wherein the second guide member further comprises a sleeve mounted to the light assembly and disposed over the shaft. 
     
     
       12. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apertures are formed through the sleeve and the shaft includes a slot so that teeth of the sprocket gear extend through the sleeve and into the slot in the shaft. 
     
     
       13. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the motor is mounted in the housing. 
     
     
       14. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apertures are formed in the shaft and the sleeve includes a slot so that the teeth of the sprocket gear extend through the slot and into the apertures in the shaft. 
     
     
       15. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the motor is mounted to the light assembly to extend and retract with the light assembly. 
     
     
       16. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a gear box driven by the motor and connected to the sprocket gear for reducing the output rotation and for increasing the output torque from the motor to the sprocket gear, wherein the static friction provided by the gear box is adequate to maintain the light assembly in the extended position without continual operation of a drive mechanism and without a locking mechanism. 
     
     
       17. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a separation plate oriented in the housing for separating the light assembly and the motor. 
     
     
       18. The retractable light apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light assembly further comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED); and
 wherein the retractable light apparatus further comprises:
 a rechargeable battery oriented in one of the housing and the light assembly, 
 a solar cell oriented on top of the light assembly for collecting solar power, the solar cell being in communication with the battery for recharging the battery, 
 a first circuit for selectively powering the motor with a first voltage from the rechargeable battery, and 
 a second circuit for selectively powering the at least one LED with a second voltage from the rechargeable battery that is less than the first voltage. 
 
 
     
     
       19. A retractable light apparatus comprising:
 a housing; 
 a first guide member mounted in the housing; 
 a second guide member operably connected to the first guide member for translation relative to the first guide member; 
 a light assembly mounted to the second guide member to extend and retract relative to the housing as the second guide member translates relative to the first guide member; 
 a motor mounted in one of the housing and the light assembly; 
 a gear operably driven by the motor; and 
 a gear rack mounted in the other of the housing and the light assembly in engagement with the gear so that as the motor drives the gear, the light assembly is translated relative to the housing; 
 wherein the first guide member further comprises a shaft mounted in the housing, and wherein the second guide member further comprises a sleeve mounted to the light assembly and disposed over the shaft; and 
 wherein the motor is mounted in the light assembly, the gear rack is provided on the shaft, and the sleeve includes a slot so that the gear extends through the slot and into engagement with the gear rack. 
 
     
     
       20. A retractable light apparatus comprising:
 a housing; 
 a light assembly operably connected to the housing to extend and retract relative to the housing, the light assembly including at least one light-emitting diode (LED); 
 a motor mounted in one of the housing and the light assembly; 
 a gear operably driven by the motor; 
 a gear rack mounted in the other of the housing and the light assembly in engagement with the gear so that as the motor drives the gear, the light assembly is translated relative to the housing; 
 a rechargeable battery oriented in one of the housing and the light assembly; 
 a solar cell oriented on top of the light assembly for collecting solar power, the solar cell being in communication with the battery for recharging the battery; 
 a first circuit for selectively powering the motor with a first voltage from the rechargeable battery; and 
 a second circuit for selectively powering the at least one LED with a second voltage from the rechargeable battery that is less than the first voltage.